January 2010
D-Quip
Most of the things worth doing in the world have been declared impossible before they were done.
-Justice Louis Braindeis
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BTW...
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HEAR US:
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Just having 'hard times...'
When you hear those words, take a step back and think, are we talking "hard times," or homelessness? Sadly, too often, they're the same. These tough economic times and previously ignored poverty have contributed to an incomprehensible 200% surge in house fires. My blog on this issue was picked up by an international news service.
Check around your circle of friends and co-workers. What does the phrase "having hard times" mean to them? Ask your enrollment staff.
HEAR US' new advocacy project, "Up the Food Chain," offers a simple but powerful public response to these insidious, poverty-related tragedies
that go mostly unnoticed except by those who lost loved ones. Up the Food Chain urges local mayors to pressure federal and state legislators to meet housing and other needs of impoverished and homeless families, teens and individuals. It's free, simple and begs for you to share it with your circles.
Thanks for all you do.
Diane
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| HEAR US helped change things for the better for homeless families in Grand Junction, earning national recognition for our efforts! READ ABOUT IT!
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LEARNING CURVE EXPRESS UPDATE
Holiday "derailment" but new interviews will be posted soon! View the short LCE video interviews. If you have someone who might be willing and able to be interviewed as Diane heads your way, let her know! It's a great way to let families/teens speak for themselves about being doubled up or in motels!
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New Homeless Education bill and
companion bill for foster kids' education are in the 'hopper.'
LEARN about it! ADVOCATE for it!
SIGN and share a petition to your Senators.
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KEEP UP! Follow Diane as she travels. Invite her to your area.
ROADIE UPDATE:
Invitations to speak and conduct professional development sessions have begun to fill Diane's calendar. That's a good thing!
While in AZ, Mattie McVey Lord (NAEHCY VP and AZ homelessness 'czarina') convened an incredible group of concerned persons involved in various aspects of homelessness to view the new HEAR US in-production documentary, "Poverty Nomads (working title)." PN features 7 powerfully articulate women who have experienced homelessness.
In February, Diane heads to Las Cruces, NM, El Paso, TX (UTEP), San Antonio, then Austin before swinging up to sunny, warm AR! Heading east from there, so check your professional development plans to see if her route will intersect.
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FOR YOUR OWN GOOD! Reminders:
My Own Four Walls '09, (DVD) 6 informative, short documentaries (including REACH) featuring homeless children & youth. Focuses on McKinney-Vento. Audiences include educators, administrators, human service staff, child welfare workers, religious education classes, and students.
Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness, Diane’s insightful, reader-friendly book on homelessness, including stories of how today’s M-V homeless ed law came to be.
It’s About the Children, Pat Van Doren’s endeavor, offers a touching set (3) of children’s books sure to inform and inspire both children and adults. They make great library additions that truly make a difference!
Purchase orders and credit cards accepted. ORDER FORM
Discounts for bulk orders. All proceeds support HEAR US. |
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Diane regularly shares her thoughts and observations online, and invites you to read, comment, and share.
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 REACH Behind Bars! Help Parents Help Kids!
HEAR US wants to assist parents/caretakers with securing their children's education when incarceration causes homelessness for the kids. REACH, the video and the brochures are great tools!
VIEW the entire 11-min. video FREE and see why this will be a tremendous way to help families, school staff, human service personnel, family court and legal services workers, and more understand McKinney-Vento Homeless Education law!
M-V helps kids who lose housing with educational stability when their parent goes to jail. HEAR US offers the FREE online (or buy DVD for $20) 11-minute REACH video and companion brochure (English - Spanish) with vital M-V info, including a toll-free number (NCHE/Serve helpline) and a tear-off postcard. You can purchase the brochures or get the license to print them locally.
This is the perfect training and outreach tool for every district. Order now!
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IMPORTANT RESOURCE: Message Service for runaway youth and their parents...National Runaway Switchboard
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Poverty Nomads (working title) Our new documentary-to-be is receiving amazing response, and it should! The 7 women featured in this hour-long look at root causes and effects of homelessness for families and teens is unlike any other film. We're doing test screenings now and working to get funds to complete this labor of love. NIU's documentary professor, Laura Vazquez, is Diane's partner on this venture.
It has the potential for changing the way everyone looks at this complex plight. We're on the verge of something huge. To be continued... |
HEAR US is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
Diane Nilan, President/founder
www.hearus.us
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